There's not much to be said about last night's match itself... it was another annoying loss resulting from the crap playing style of get-the-ball-to-Eto'o which simply does not work in any way or form. It holds the team back, so they don't do well, and Eto'o doesn't even take advantage of the chances given him. We've ranted about all this in our last match report, so no need to repeat it...But anyway, looks like Eto'o will be kissing the Pichichi goodbye after Diego Forlan's hattrick yesterday. Unless Samu scores three himself in the final Liga match against Deportivo, it's all Forlan's and well deserved too. Samu had plenty of chances to score in the last two matches, and didn't step up. Again, we've said all this before...
Moving on, the boys were looking good in next season's shirts which they debuted for this match, Pep was looking good in grey again, and we surprisingly love the combo of grey suit with the exact same color tie, and all the youngsters and subs were just adorable, from hot Xavi Torres to first time debutant, Marc Muniesa. It's too bad Muniesa as well as Guddy had to be sent off, but then this was another case of idiot refereeing. Not an important match though, so we won't grudge.
The most important thing about this match is that the team received the Liga cup and finally celebrated the title. As the final whistle was blown, the players all headed down to the dressing room for a quick shirt switch, while the fans were kept entertained with videos of Barca's best goals this season. The lads soon emerged again wearing this season's kit again, with "Campions 09" printed on the backs.
The team gathered to receive the cup and Captain Puyol did the honors of lifting it as confetti rained down, before passing it down to the rest of the players, who took off on a lap around the stadium carrying the trophy as well as the Copa Del Rey one.
With Coldplay's "Viva La Vida", which has been the team's song really this season, playing in the stadium, Puyol stepped up to say a few words before Barca's coach Pep Guardiola took over the mic. Pep addressed the fans, asking them to give "the biggest ever ovation at the Camp Nou" for the players, but in the end it was Pep who was honored. Goalkeeper Pinto dashed at him with the rest of the boys at his heels, and together they lifted their coach and tossed him up into the air, and that has got to be the moment of the year. There never was a more amazing team than the Barca of 08-09, and we don't know whether to laugh or cry about it. They are just wonderful. And we are so proud to call ourselves their supporters.
Pep soon passed the mic onto Pique, for who better to lead the celebrations than our very own DJ/prankster/party animal? Pique gave a few warm words then took off chanting "Boti, Boti Boti, Boti Madrid qui no!" and pressed his teammates to take the mic. Then he went off down the pitch pushing all the team members to celebrate, working up the crowd, and spraying anyone in his path with champagne...
Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Messi, Valdes, Henry, Eto'o, Alves, Sylvinho, Bojan and Márquez all said a few words, then "We Are The Champions," began to play as the players took off on another lap around the stadium with the two cups.
Final celebrations took place to the tune of Barca's anthem, with Dani Alves especially crazy and euphoric as he hopped around the Nou Camp calling "Campeones, campeones!"
For Dani and the rest of the injured list were all present, even if they couldn't play, to take part in their team's celebration: Marquez, Henry, Iniesta... everyone, even Gaby Milito. Rafa Marquez's kids were on the pitch as well, as where Gudjohnsen's, Sylvinho's, President Laporta's and Valdes' cute-as-could-be little niece in a miniature keeper's kit matching his.
And in their speeches, most of the players took care to mention the upcoming Champions League Final, and while the team and fans all over the world continue in last night's euphoria, the next step is the final in Roma and that is all our focus now... and then we celebrate as we have celebrated so much this season already, the perfect cap-off to a perfect season...
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